cleheny's review against another edition
3.0
Superman's journey in this book isn't that interesting, unfortunately, though there is some interesting illumination of his past.
Lois Lane decides to dig into Clark Kent's history because she doesn't trust someone who gets a huge story without having any credentials. That's a legitimate question, though she also thinks he's suspicious because he's never gotten into any trouble, which is a less credible reason to mistrust Kent. What she learns generates some compassion for Clark, and explains why he doesn't stick out. But it doesn't explain how he got the Superman interview, which was the original reason for her suspicion. So I question her decision to let the whole thing drop.
Clark's self-effacement makes sense once the story of his school years is revealed, and it emphasizes how strictly he controls all aspects of his life. He's understandably alienated from those around him, and it clearly pains him.
The Parasite story, which drives the plot, is not engaging. For a guy who is a genius (as depicted in the last volume), Superman shows surprisingly little intelligence in his strategy with the Parasite. Superman does dope out that Parasite can absorb his strength and abilities through touch, but then seems unable to figure out a way to fight Parasite from a distance. He's a guy who can fire laser beams from his eyes, super-heat and -freeze the air with his breath, move incredibly fast, and drop tanks on people while flying above them, but his plan--in each encounter--is to try to punch Parasite out. His ship's role in helping Superman fight Parasite comes off as a bit deus ex machina.
Finally, some of the art bothered me. Several of the secondary and tertiary male characters appear to have been drawn from the same template.
Lois Lane decides to dig into Clark Kent's history because she doesn't trust someone who gets a huge story without having any credentials. That's a legitimate question, though she also thinks he's suspicious because he's never gotten into any trouble, which is a less credible reason to mistrust Kent. What she learns generates some compassion for Clark, and explains why he doesn't stick out. But it doesn't explain how he got the Superman interview, which was the original reason for her suspicion. So I question her decision to let the whole thing drop.
Clark's self-effacement makes sense once the story of his school years is revealed, and it emphasizes how strictly he controls all aspects of his life. He's understandably alienated from those around him, and it clearly pains him.
The Parasite story, which drives the plot, is not engaging. For a guy who is a genius (as depicted in the last volume), Superman shows surprisingly little intelligence in his strategy with the Parasite. Superman does dope out that Parasite can absorb his strength and abilities through touch, but then seems unable to figure out a way to fight Parasite from a distance. He's a guy who can fire laser beams from his eyes, super-heat and -freeze the air with his breath, move incredibly fast, and drop tanks on people while flying above them, but his plan--in each encounter--is to try to punch Parasite out. His ship's role in helping Superman fight Parasite comes off as a bit deus ex machina.
Finally, some of the art bothered me. Several of the secondary and tertiary male characters appear to have been drawn from the same template.
trike's review against another edition
4.0
This is really great stuff. A Superman without the stick up his butt, and a terrific explanation for why he holds himself apart from the rest of humanity.
Using the Parasite to drain Clark’s powers works the way kryptonite does, by making Supes less godlike and increasing his vulnerability. It’s a new twist on the classic solution to the age-old problem of the too-powerful superhuman, but Straczynski makes it feel effortless.
Using the Parasite to drain Clark’s powers works the way kryptonite does, by making Supes less godlike and increasing his vulnerability. It’s a new twist on the classic solution to the age-old problem of the too-powerful superhuman, but Straczynski makes it feel effortless.
gpv's review against another edition
3.0
Follows up on [b:Superman: Earth One|7657484|Superman Earth One|J. Michael Straczynski|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320538241s/7657484.jpg|10234999] and traces the events immediately following the 'discovery' of Superman. Introduces Parasite to the readers, but it's not as good as the prequel. Luthor makes an appearance towards the end of the novel. Very different from how he is eventually shown. It definitely left me curious enough to follow up on this series to find out how Lex Luthor becomes Superman's ultimate nemesis.
jameshowlett's review against another edition
3.0
İyi bir Superman hikâyesi yazmanın zorluğunu bütün çizgi roman okurları az çok tahmin ediyordur. Bu kadar kudretli bir kahramanı zorlayacak bir hikâye yazmak, ona kafa tutabilecek bir rakip bulmak kolay iş değil.
Straczynski, Superman'i psikolojik olarak inceleyerek en büyük rakibinin kendisi olduğunu vurgulamaya çalışıyor ki kendisi bu psikolojik detayları Amazing Spider-Man serisinde de çok başarılı bir şekilde kaleme alan bir yazardı.
Açık konuşmak gerekirse serinin ilk kitabını pek sevmemiştim ama bu, beklediğimden iyi çıktı.
Straczynski, Superman'i psikolojik olarak inceleyerek en büyük rakibinin kendisi olduğunu vurgulamaya çalışıyor ki kendisi bu psikolojik detayları Amazing Spider-Man serisinde de çok başarılı bir şekilde kaleme alan bir yazardı.
Açık konuşmak gerekirse serinin ilk kitabını pek sevmemiştim ama bu, beklediğimden iyi çıktı.
brookamimi's review against another edition
4.0
Excellent art. Excellent continuation of the story both for Superman and for Clark. I don't know if I like Lois's plot line for this volume, but otherwise all-around excellency both from Shane Davis's GORGEOUS art and Straczynski's writing.
tdwightdavis's review against another edition
1.0
Volume one was bad. Now we have a hooker trying to sleep with Supes, still have a Superman who never smiles, a Superman who drops a criminal in the middle of the Arctic with no way home, a Superman who leads an armed revolution to overthrow a dictator. What garbage. Superman is supposed to be inspiring, a character who is the best humanity can be. This Superman is a character who is cagey, angry, angsty, and scowly. Can we have a decent Superman again, please?
art_cart_ron's review against another edition
3.0
Not really a remarkable read.
Alternate universe, alternate timeline, slightly altered origins and rivalries... it's all gotten really tired. It's basically a declaration that we've reached the end of the road with the story we've stopped telling in order to retell it.
I am a big Straczynski fan. He's great. I think he was handed a relatively impossible project here, and it isn't his fault.
The comics in this collection are thoroughly readable. They just don't do anything new, and they retread a lot of things that are tired and old.
Alternate universe, alternate timeline, slightly altered origins and rivalries... it's all gotten really tired. It's basically a declaration that we've reached the end of the road with the story we've stopped telling in order to retell it.
I am a big Straczynski fan. He's great. I think he was handed a relatively impossible project here, and it isn't his fault.
The comics in this collection are thoroughly readable. They just don't do anything new, and they retread a lot of things that are tired and old.
slipperbunny's review against another edition
4.0
One of the best Superman comics I have read. Usually Superman is a bit too good and great, but Earth One lets Clark show some emotion too and he even loses control once or twice.
mabelsyrup's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 ⭐️
The artwork is a big hit or miss for me ngl. But the story is so fun and interesting, without mentioning that I can see clear give outs that the DCEU’s Superman is heavily inspired by this version of the character.
The artwork is a big hit or miss for me ngl. But the story is so fun and interesting, without mentioning that I can see clear give outs that the DCEU’s Superman is heavily inspired by this version of the character.
subhamroxx's review against another edition
3.0
This was a pretty interesting read.
Now that Clark is Superman he has to deal with different problems and one such is the problem of a Dictator in a foreign country and then he has a romance with Lisa Lasalle his new neighbor and whatever is going on with this new enemy Parasite and why is Lois investigating him? This volume answers all that like his big fight with Parasite, his ideologue battle with the dictator and what he does with it and then the thing with Lisa and how by the end he saves her and gains a friend and things get spicy and the realization with Lois was cool.
Future plot twists with a certain well known arch enemy is set up and its a good twist too.
I like how this volume took the time to have philosophical and moral questions, made us question a profession of certain people, giving us hint about the kind of reporter Clark is and his compassion and then add the big twist with the villains and the ending was gorgeous. One of the best volumes of Superman and definitely hints at big things to come. This is what Superman is and JMS digs into it wonderfully plus the art as always is amazing and its a worthy sequel too!
Now that Clark is Superman he has to deal with different problems and one such is the problem of a Dictator in a foreign country and then he has a romance with Lisa Lasalle his new neighbor and whatever is going on with this new enemy Parasite and why is Lois investigating him? This volume answers all that like his big fight with Parasite, his ideologue battle with the dictator and what he does with it and then the thing with Lisa and how by the end he saves her and gains a friend and things get spicy and the realization with Lois was cool.
Future plot twists with a certain well known arch enemy is set up and its a good twist too.
I like how this volume took the time to have philosophical and moral questions, made us question a profession of certain people, giving us hint about the kind of reporter Clark is and his compassion and then add the big twist with the villains and the ending was gorgeous. One of the best volumes of Superman and definitely hints at big things to come. This is what Superman is and JMS digs into it wonderfully plus the art as always is amazing and its a worthy sequel too!